Chapter 19: A Promise to the Broken
The morning sunlight filtered softly through the tall windows of Alex's chamber.
The room was quiet, peaceful in a way that felt almost unreal compared to the chaos of the previous days. Outside, the royal palace was already alive with activity — servants moving through the corridors, guards changing shifts, distant voices echoing through the marble halls.
Alex sat by the window with a cup of coffee in his hand.
The warmth of the drink slowly spread through his body as he took a small sip.
For a moment, he simply stared outside.
The royal gardens stretched far beyond the balcony, fountains glimmering under the morning sun, carefully trimmed trees standing like silent guards of the palace.
But Alex wasn't truly looking at the garden.
His mind was somewhere else.
Two hundred and ninety people…
That was the approximate number of slaves rescued from the slave trading ring.
Most of them had never imagined freedom.
Many had lost families.
Many had lost hope.
And now…
They belonged to him.
Alex exhaled slowly.
"Responsibility is heavy," he murmured quietly.
Just then—
Knock. Knock.
A polite knock sounded from the door.
"Enter," Alex said.
The door opened and a palace servant stepped inside, bowing respectfully.
"Your Highness."
"Yes?"
"All the slaves have been assembled outside the royal gate."
Alex set the coffee cup down on the table.
"So they're ready."
He stood up calmly.
"Alright. Let's go."
---
The courtyard near the royal gate was enormous.
Normally it was used for military gatherings or royal ceremonies.
Today, however, it looked very different.
Hundreds of people stood gathered together.
Men.
Women.
Children.
Different races.
Some wore torn clothes. Some looked exhausted. Some carried scars that told stories far more painful than words ever could.
Fear was visible in their eyes.
They had been told that a prince had taken ownership of them.
Many expected cruelty.
Many expected punishment.
Many expected another life of chains.
When Alex arrived, the murmuring slowly stopped.
Dozens… then hundreds of eyes turned toward him.
For a moment, Alex simply looked at them.
He noticed everything.
The cautious stares.
The trembling shoulders.
The children hiding behind older slaves.
The silent desperation.
Then his gaze stopped at something unexpected.
His eyes widened slightly.
A group of dwarves…
Near the back of the crowd stood eight dwarves.
Their thick beards, muscular builds, and rugged appearance made them easy to recognize.
Alex's mind immediately recalled information.
If I remember correctly from the story…
Dwarves almost never leave their mountain kingdoms.
In the original story, gaining the cooperation of dwarves required enormous effort, diplomacy, and multiple dangerous quests.
And yet…
Here they were.
Standing among rescued slaves.
Alex's lips curved slightly.
Well… that's fortunate.
---
He stepped forward.
"Selena."
Selena immediately walked out from the crowd.
"Yes, Master."
Her voice was calm but respectful.
Alex turned toward the slaves.
"From today onwards…"
He pointed toward Selena.
"She will be your immediate supervisor."
Many slaves looked confused.
A young girl… supervising them?
But Selena had already proven her capability.
Alex turned toward one of the royal officers nearby.
"Tell me. How many people are gathered here?"
The officer stepped forward and checked a document.
"Your Highness, the current count is as follows."
He read clearly.
"250 humans — 150 males and 100 females, approximately between the ages of twenty and forty."
"100 demi-humans."
"30 children between the ages of eight and fourteen."
"And lastly… ten dwarves."
Alex looked at the crowd again.
Three hundred and ninety lives.
Three hundred and ninety stories.
Three hundred and ninety broken people.
Many of them looked at him with guarded eyes.
Some looked down.
Some avoided eye contact completely.
They were afraid.
Of course they were.
Alex slowly stepped forward.
His voice was calm, but clear enough for everyone to hear.
"My name is Alex von Voldigord."
"I am your master."
A ripple of tension spread through the crowd.
Several people lowered their heads.
Alex continued.
"I do not care what crimes you were accused of."
"I do not care how you ended up as slaves."
"I do not care about your race… your past… or your gender."
Silence spread across the courtyard.
Then Alex spoke again.
"But from today onward…"
"I promise you something."
He looked directly at them.
"You will be treated as equals."
Many slaves slowly lifted their heads.
"You will work for me."
"And in return…"
"I will give you food."
"A home."
"A salary."
"And something even more valuable."
He paused for a moment.
"A chance at freedom."
Whispers spread through the crowd.
Some people looked shocked.
Some looked skeptical.
Some simply looked confused.
Alex continued calmly.
"There is only one condition."
"You will repay me one hundred gold coins."
A murmur spread again.
One hundred gold coins was not a small amount.
But Alex raised his hand.
"You do not need to pay it immediately."
"You can repay it slowly."
"Once the amount is paid…"
"You will no longer be slaves."
"You will be free citizens."
The courtyard became completely silent.
Many slaves stared at Alex as if they had misheard him.
Freedom?
From slavery?
Earned through work?
Then Alex pointed toward someone standing nearby.
"And as proof…"
"Look there."
Everyone turned their heads.
Viriela and her family stood nearby.
"They were slaves."
"I freed them."
"They now work with me voluntarily."
Selena's eyes trembled slightly.
The slaves slowly looked back at Alex.
Something inside the crowd changed.
Hope.
A fragile, trembling hope.
Some people began crying quietly.
Others clenched their fists.
For many of them…
This was the first time anyone had spoken to them like human beings.
Alex turned to Selena.
"Selena."
"Yes, Master."
Alex handed her a heavy pouch.
Inside it were gold coins.
"Ten thousand gold coins."
Her eyes widened.
"Take everyone to the southern district."
"There is a large mansion there."
"That will be your temporary residence."
"Feed everyone."
"Let them rest."
"Make sure they are comfortable."
Selena bowed deeply.
"As you wish, Master."
Alex looked toward the crowd again.
"Tomorrow…"
"I will speak with you about work."
One by one, the slaves began moving.
Some walked slowly.
Some walked as if afraid the dream might disappear.
Watching them leave…
Alex felt something strange in his chest.
Pride.
But also responsibility.
Then Selena suddenly spoke again.
"Master…"
"Yes?"
"What about the children?"
Alex looked toward the group of thirty children standing nervously together.
Many of them looked thin.
Some looked terrified.
He sighed softly.
"These children will stay in the royal palace."
Selena blinked in surprise.
"I will educate them."
"I will make sure they grow up properly."
"They will not live as slaves."
Selena stared at him with wide eyes.
"What?"
Alex raised an eyebrow.
"What do you think I am?"
"Some kind of monster?"
Selena quickly shook her head.
"No, Prince."
Alex nodded slightly.
"Good."
Then he turned toward the dwarves.
"And those dwarves…"
"Bring them to my room later."
"I want to speak with them personally."
The dwarves exchanged glances.
Their expressions were unreadable.
But they nodded slightly.
---
Soon the courtyard began to empty.
Hundreds of people slowly walked toward a new life.
And Alex stood there watching them go.
Inside his mind—
System Notification
Humanitarian Action Detected
Reputation Increased
Reward Earned:
500 SC Coins
---
Alex smiled slightly.
"Well…"
"That's a good start."
He turned toward a nearby maid.
"Anna."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Prepare baths and food for the dwarves."
"Once they are comfortable…"
"Bring them to my room."
Anna bowed.
"As you wish, Your Highness."
Alex began walking back toward the palace.
The hallway felt quieter than usual.
But his mind was already moving.
Dwarven craftsmen.
Hundreds of workers.
A loyal group forming.
The foundation of something bigger.
Something powerful.
Something that could change the future of the empire.
Alex smiled faintly.
"Interesting."
"Very interesting."
And somewhere in the palace…
Eight dwarves were about to meet a prince who might change their fate forever.